Dispenser cartridge and wiper with cord

ABSTRACT

A dispenser housing for dispensing a multi-layer tape transfer tape used in a paper web turn-up operation, the transfer tape being the combination of a tape substrate coated on one side with a web grabbing adhesive and on the other side with a mounting adhesive and an affixed cord or cordlike feature, and a release liner having a release liner substrate fully coated on a first side with a release layer and zone-coated on a second side with a release layer, the transfer tape being wound onto a single spool with the release liner facing inward and the mounting side adhesive facing outward, such that buckling is precluded when the transfer tape is unwound from the spool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/899,004 filed Feb. 19, 2018 and entitledDispenser Cartridge And Wiper, as a continuation in part application,which in turn claims the benefit of the Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/510,448 filed May 24, 2017 and entitled Dispenser Apparatusand Method of Use, In Particular for Laminating and Dispensing TransferTape in a Paper Web Turn-Up System, the contents of each of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally in a first sense to the field ofdevices, apparatuses and methods of effecting the high-speed severingand transfer of a rapidly advancing paper web from a rotating full webspool onto an empty web spool, and more particularly where such anoperation is performed utilizing a transfer or double-sided adhesiveturn-up tape. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatusand method for dispensing transfer tape and its use in a paper websevering/transfer method, wherein the transfer tape is the affectingmeans for severing, transferring and securing the paper web from arotating full web spool onto an empty web spool. Additionally, theinvention relates in general to a tape dispensing apparatus thatdispenses a multi-layer tape useful in various industrial applications.

Modern paper manufacturing is typically performed by producingcontinuous lengths of paper having widths of over 400 inches in somecases, referred to as paper webs, which are wound onto web spools forsubsequent converting, storage, transfer or the like. The winding orspooling operation for the paper web, such as in the case of tissuegrades, occurs at high speeds, in some cases exceeding 6000 feet perminute, and in order to maximize production by minimizing downtime andwaste it is desirable to sever and simultaneously transfer the movingpaper web from a full web spool onto an empty web spool withoutstopping, adjusting draws (i.e. the speed differential between theincoming and outgoing web rotating support members that are not drivenby a common source) or slowing the movement of the web. Methods andapparatuses for accomplishing this severing and transfer utilizing whatis known as a transfer or turn-up tape have long been known. An earlyexample of such a system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,461,246 toWeyenberg, issued in 1949. Other examples are shown in our U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,659,029, 4,757,950, 4,783,018, 5,046,675, 5,453,141, 5,637,170,and 5,954,290. Further examples and detailed discussion of suchequipment, systems and methodologies are present in our U.S. Pat. Nos.4,659,029, 4,757,950, 4,783,018, 5,046,675, 5,417,383, 5,453,141,5,637,170, 5,954,290, 6,467,719, 6,578,788, 7,875,152, 8,124,209,8,178,181 and 8,580,062, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

The transfer tape utilized in severing and transferring the paper webcomprises a substrate having a first adhesive side, the spool mountingside, preferably comprised of a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA),adapted to contact and adhere to the longitudinal cylindrical surface ofthe empty web spool. The opposite side of the transfer tape substrate,the web-side (or web grabbing side), has a second adhesive side adaptedto contact and adhere to the moving paper web when the rotating emptyweb spool is brought into contact with the paper web. With the adhesionof the paper web to the empty web spool through this transfer tape, theweb is severed from the full web spool and its new leading edge, formedat the severing line created by the transfer tape, adheres to therotating empty web spool, thus completing the transfer.

This invention is of particular application to transfer tapes of thetype having a cover flap extending over the web-side adhesive on thesubstrate of the transfer tape, the cover flap being longitudinallyadhered along one edge of the transfer tape, wherein the cover flap isprovided with a release coating, such as a silicone layer, over themajority of the side of the cover flap facing the adhesive side. Withthis construction, the cover flap remains closed to protect the web-sideadhesive from contaminants such as dust and debris until the empty webspool is spun up to its speed to match the speed of the web. As theempty web spool rotates the cover flap peels back due to aerodynamiceffects, pulling the release-coated section of the flap away from theadhesive. The cover flap opens at its leading edge, which is the edge ofthe transfer tape first encountering the resulting airstream due to therotation of the empty web spool. The cover flap remains attached to theweb-side adhesive at the trailing edge of the transfer tape due to theflap being void of the silicone release layer in that narrow region. Thetransfer tape is now in a state with its protective cover flap peeledback to expose the fresh and uncontaminated adhesive and is able toadhere to the subject paper web to sever and transfer it to the emptyweb spool. Examples of such transfer tapes are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.8,124,209 and 8,178,181.

The high-speed transfer of lightweight paper webs, such as groundwoodpapers (including, for example, newsprint) or tissue paper, is moredifficult to accomplish due to the weaker structure of the paper. Inaddition, in systems using adhesive transfer tapes for the web transfer,the exposed adhesive side of the transfer tape is often contaminatedwith airborne dust, floating paper fibers and other debris, which areprevalent with the lightweight paper webs, such that the adhesion isweakened or even substantially blinded, which can result in a failedtransfer. A failed transfer results in lost production, inconsistentwinding of the product and inconsistent roll sizes, excessive waste,shorter service life of the fiber cores which are commonly used intissue making machines, and unsafe operating conditions.

Thicker transfer tape substrates are preferable as the thicker tapemakes more complete contact with rotating web spools having fiber cores,as the core surfaces of the empty web spool are not always concentric toits spinning axis, possibly resulting in relatively large gaps when theempty core is brought into contact with the web. Voids and gaps may alsobe present in the fiber cores themselves, and thicker substrates arebetter at filling the gaps to present the adhesive to the moving web.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatusand method addressing the contamination problem of the exposed adhesiveon the transfer tape. It is a further object to provide such anapparatus and method that allows for the transfer tape to be dispensedin the desired length as needed for performing the turn-up operation. Itis a further object to provide an apparatus and method adapted for usein many different industrial applications.

It is also an object of this disclosure to provide embodiments oftransfer tape design comprising a cord or filament that is included intothe structure of the transfer tape and provides support and stiffeningof the transfer tape. In some preferred embodiments, the transfer tapemay include a cord that contains material suitable to be re-pulped andincluded in the paper product. The suitability to be re-pulped maysignificantly reduce waste in paper processing.

The apparatus comprises a dispenser housing for dispensing a multi-layertape, and in particular a paper web transfer tape, the housingcontaining a transfer tape spool. The transfer tape is a laminatedcomposite of a zone-coated release liner and a transfer tape base orsubstrate, the transfer tape substrate having a pressure sensitiveadhesive (PSA) on both sides. The release liner is comprised of a papersubstrate with a release coating on both sides. The release coating onthe side facing the PSA does not cover the entire surface, such that alongitudinally extending strip of the release liner substrate paperalong one edge is free of the release coating so as to define a coverflap. With this construction, the cover flap is effectively hinged tothe PSA transfer tape substrate. The uncoated zone provides a strongadhesion of the cover flap to the PSA. This adhesion zone retains thecover flap to the PSA even when the cover flap opens to expose the PSAfor the turn-up operation. It is important that the cover flap remainattached to the PSA during the time it is open. If the cover flap wereto detach from the PSA the loose cover flap could become entangled inthe high-speed equipment, interfering with its proper operation, or itcould interfere with the fragile paper web, causing it to rupture.

The dispenser cartridge is an enclosure which prevents dust and otherparticulates from contacting the components, especially any exposed PSA,while the laminated transfer tape is awaiting use for application to theempty web spool. The cartridge dispenses the transfer tape outside ofthe enclosure through a small slot. The dispenser cartridge preferablycontains a wiper blade, preferably made of a semi-rigid, flexible butresilient, material, to wipe or press the transfer tape onto the emptyweb spool. This is valuable since the transfer tape is relatively wideand the empty web spool presents a cylindrical surface. The wiper bladepresses on the release liner/cover flap of the transfer tape, that isthe web-grabbing side of the tape, and flexes as necessary to conformthe transfer tape to the curved surface of the web spool. In this waythe wiper blade helps to assure a uniform adhesion of the PSA of thetransfer tape to the empty web spool. The dispenser cartridge may be astand-alone assembly such that the operator manipulates the dispensercartridge along the empty web spool by hand, or the dispenser cartridgemay be adapted for use within a secondary housing, or for use indispensing equipment or apparatus, whether fixed, moving or handheld.The dispenser cartridge may be designed, structured and adapted to be areplaceable assembly removed from a secondary external unit, equipmentor the like when empty, with a full cartridge then inserted in itsplace.

The orientation of the transfer tape as wound onto the transfer tapespool is critical to prevent undesirable buckling of the release linerrelative to the PSA-coated base. The PSA layer is relatively thicker andmore elastic in comparison to the release liner, which is formed of apaper-based material. While the release liner is flexible enough to bewound around the transfer tape spool, it will not stretch or compress asmuch as the PSA layer. If the transfer tape is wound onto the tape spoolwith the PSA-coated substrate on the inside and the release liner on theoutside, which is the typical orientation, when a segment of transfertape is unrolled and flattened as it is applied to the empty web spoolthe release liner buckles due to the differential in length of therelease liner relative to the PSA-coated substrate. To address thisproblem, the transfer tape is wound onto the transfer tape spool withthe PSA-coated substrate on the outside and the release liner on theinside. When unrolled and applied to the surface of the empty web spool,the release liner is shorter than the PSA layer and will be pulledtight, thereby eliminating the buckling problem. Thus, the apparatusprovides for the application of transfer tape in optimal condition inthe required length as needed for the web turn-up transfer operation.

Alternatively, the invention may be summarized and described as atransfer tape cartridge dispenser comprising transfer tape with anincorporated cord feature wound onto a transfer tape spool within ahousing, said housing having a slot adapted such that said transfer tapepasses through said slot as it is unwound; said transfer tape adapted tosever and secure a paper web from a first web spool onto an empty webspool in a web turn-up operation, said transfer tape comprising a tapesubstrate coated on one side with a web grabbing adhesive and on theother side with a mounting adhesive, and a release liner having arelease liner substrate fully coated on a first side with a releaselayer and zone-coated on a second side with a release layer, saidrelease layer being of a material that prevents adhesion of the adhesiveto the release liner substrate; said zone-coated release layer defininga longitudinally extending uncoated joining region on said release linersubstrate, whereby said web grabbing adhesive adheres to the saiduncoated joining region of said release liner substrate such that saidzone-coated release layer defines a cover flap not adhered to said webgrabbing adhesive; said transfer tape being wound onto said transfertape spool with said release liner facing inward and said mounting sideadhesive facing outward, such that said release layer fully coated onsaid first side of said release liner substrate prevents adhesion ofsaid mounting side adhesive to said release liner substrate.Furthermore, also provided is such a transfer tape cartridge dispenser,wherein said adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive; wherein saiduncoated joining region of said release liner substrate extends along alongitudinal edge of said release liner substrate; further comprising awiper mounted on said housing adjacent said slot, said wiper adapted toapply pressure to said transfer tape when said transfer tape is appliedto said empty web spool; wherein said wiper is permanently mounted ontosaid housing; wherein said wiper is removably mounted onto said housingsuch that said wiper is reusable with other said dispenser cartridges;wherein said web grabbing adhesive is thicker than said release liner;wherein said web grabbing adhesive is more elastic than said releaseliner; and/or wherein said web grabbing adhesive is more compressiblethan said release liner.

Alternatively still, the invention may be summarized and described as atransfer tape cartridge dispenser comprising transfer tape with anincorporated cord feature adapted to sever and secure a paper web from afirst web spool onto an empty web spool in a web turn-up operation, saidtransfer tape wound onto a transfer tape spool within a housing, saidhousing having a slot adapted such that said transfer tape passesthrough said slot as it is unwound and a wiper mounted on said housingadjacent said slot, said wiper adapted to apply pressure to saidtransfer tape when said transfer tape is applied to said empty webspool; said transfer tape comprising a tape substrate coated on one sidewith a web grabbing pressure sensitive adhesive and on the other sidewith a mounting pressure sensitive adhesive, and a release liner havinga release liner substrate fully coated on a first side with a releaselayer and zone-coated on a second side with a release layer, saidrelease layer being of a material that prevents adhesion of the pressuresensitive adhesive to the release liner substrate; said zone-coatedrelease layer defining a longitudinally extending uncoated joiningregion on a longitudinal edge of said release liner substrate, wherebysaid web grabbing adhesive adheres to the said uncoated joining regionof said release liner substrate such that said zone-coated release layerdefines a cover flap not adhered to said web grabbing pressure sensitiveadhesive; wherein said web grabbing pressure sensitive adhesive isthicker, more elastic and more compressible than said release liner;said transfer tape being wound onto said transfer tape spool with saidrelease liner facing inward and said mounting side pressure sensitiveadhesive facing outward, such that said release layer fully coated onsaid first side of said release liner substrate prevents adhesion ofsaid mounting side pressure sensitive adhesive to said release linersubstrate.

Alternatively still again, the invention may be summarized and describedas a method of dispensing and applying a transfer tape with anincorporated cord feature onto an empty web spool to sever and secure apaper web from a first web spool onto an empty web spool in a webturn-up operation comprising the steps of: winding said transfer tapeonto a transfer tape spool within a dispenser cartridge housing andextending said transfer tape through a slot in said housing a slotadapted such that said transfer tape passes through said slot; saidtransfer tape comprising a tape substrate coated on one side with a webgrabbing pressure sensitive adhesive and on the other side with amounting pressure sensitive adhesive, and a release liner having arelease liner substrate fully coated on a first side with a releaselayer and zone-coated on a second side with a release layer, saidrelease layer being of a material that prevents adhesion of the pressuresensitive adhesive to the release liner substrate; said zone-coatedrelease layer defining a longitudinally extending uncoated joiningregion on a longitudinal edge of said release liner substrate, wherebysaid web grabbing adhesive adheres to the said uncoated joining regionof said release liner substrate such that said zone-coated release layerdefines a cover flap not adhered to said web grabbing pressure sensitiveadhesive; wherein said step of winding said transfer tape onto saidtransfer tape spool comprises winding said transfer tape onto saidtransfer tape spool with said release liner facing inward and saidmounting side pressure sensitive adhesive facing outward, such that saidrelease layer fully coated on said first side of said release linersubstrate prevents adhesion of said mounting side pressure sensitiveadhesive to said release liner substrate. Furthermore, the methodfurther comprising the step of passing a segment of said transfer tapethrough said slot and applying said transfer tape to said empty webspool, pressing said transfer tape onto said empty web spool using awiper, and cutting said segment of transfer tape; and/or wherein saidstep of applying said transfer tape to said empty web spool comprisesorienting said transfer tape on said empty web spool such that saidcover flap extends in the direction of rotation of said empty web spool.

Alternatively, a transfer tape may be formed by assembling a tapesubstrate coated on one side with a web grabbing adhesive and on theother side with a mounting adhesive and a release liner having a releaseliner substrate fully coated on a first side with a release layer andzone-coated on a second side with a release layer, said release layerbeing of a material that prevents adhesion of the adhesive to therelease liner substrate, and a cord affixed to the tape substrate. Insome examples, the cord may be adhered to the mounting adhesive. Inother examples, the cord may be adhered, potentially with a pressuresensitive coating, to the web grabbing adhesive. In some examples, thezone-coated release layer may define a longitudinally extending uncoatedjoining region on said release liner substrate. The web grabbingadhesive may adhere to the said uncoated joining region of the releaseliner substrate such that said zone-coated release layer defines a coverflap not adhered to the web grabbing adhesive. In some examples, thecord may define an elevated surface profile of the transfer tapeproximate to the cord when the transfer tape is adhered to a surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded end view of an embodiment of the transfer tape.

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shownwith the transfer tape assembled and with the cover flap partially open.

FIG. 3 illustrates a properly wound transfer tape having the tapesubstrate on the outside and the release liner on the inside to addressbuckling problems.

FIG. 4 is an exposed view of a first embodiment of the cartridgedispenser.

FIG. 5 is an exposed view of the cartridge dispenser of FIG. 4 where thetransfer tape spool is now empty.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cartridge dispenser of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an exposed view of an alternative embodiment of the cartridgedispenser.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the cartridge dispenser of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded end view of an embodiment of transfertape with an incorporated cord.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective illustration of the embodiment of FIG.9 shown with the transfer tape assembled and with the cover flappartially open and with the incorporated cord thereunder.

FIG. 11 illustrates a properly wound transfer tape having the tapesubstrate on the outside and the release liner on the inside to addressbuckling problems.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded end view of an alternative embodiment oftransfer tape with an incorporated cord.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded end view of an alternative embodiment oftransfer tape with an incorporated cord.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, which are provided for descriptive andillustrative purposes are which are not meant to be limiting as thescope of the invention, the invention in various embodiments in a broadand general sense is an apparatus and a method for dispensing amulti-layer adhesive tape, and in particular a transfer tape used in apaper web turn-up operation, wherein a continuous paper web being rolledonto a first web spool is severed and transferred to an empty second webspool when the first web spool is fully wound, the transfer occurringwithout requiring the flow of the paper web to be temporarily altered orstopped. It is to be understood that disclosure of the apparatus andmethod in relation to a paper web turn-up operation is an exemplarydisclosure not meant to be limiting, as the dispenser structure asdescribed is suitable for the production of different types of tapes fordifferent industrial applications. It is to be understood that thedispenser cartridge may be a stand-alone assembly such that the operatormanipulates the dispenser cartridge along the empty web spool by hand,or the dispenser cartridge may be adapted for use within a secondaryhousing, for use in dispensing equipment, whether stationary or mobile,etc. The dispenser cartridge may be designed, structured and adapted tobe a replaceable assembly removed from a secondary external unit,equipment or the like when empty with a full cartridge then inserted inits place.

The transfer tape 20, an embodiment of which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,is a laminated composite of a transfer tape base or substrate 31 and azone-coated release liner member 21. The transfer tape substrate 31 iscomposed of a paper stock member (or a member composed of similar,suitable material, most preferably re-pulpable) of sufficient strength,thickness, texture and stiffness to accomplish the turn-up transferoperation without breaking or separating throughout its subsequent use.Both sides of the transfer tape substrate 31 are coated, layered orlaminated with an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive(PSA), suitable for attaching one side (the mounting side) of thelaminated transfer tape 20 to an empty paper web spool and the otherside (the web side) to a paper web of tissue or the like. The PSA 32A onthe mounting side may have different properties compared to the PSA 32Bon the web grabbing side. These different properties may includeadhesion, tackiness, color, or thickness, among others.

The release liner member 21 comprises a release liner substrate 22,preferably composed of a re-pulpable material, that is fully coated onits exposed side with a release layer or coating 24 composed of amaterial, such as silicone, that has very low adhesion to the PSA 32.With this coating, the mounting side PSA 32A will not adhere to therelease liner substrate 22 when the transfer tape 20 is wound onto thetransfer tape spool 12 of the dispenser cartridge 10, as the windingplaces the mounting side PSA 32A in contact with the release layer orcoating 24. The opposite or interior side of the release liner substrate22 is zone-coated with a suitably chosen release layer or coating 23that prevents adhesion of the web grabbing PSA 32B to the release linersubstrate 22. This non-adhering portion of the release liner substrate22 defines the cover flap 26 which temporarily covers and then opens toexpose the web grabbing PSA 32B during the turn-up operation asexplained.

The zone-coated release layer 23 only covers a majority of the interiorside of the release liner substrate 22, such that a longitudinal stripor zone along or near one longitudinal edge of the release linersubstrate 22 is left uncoated and defines a longitudinally extendinguncoated joining region 25. When the two components are laminatedtogether to form the transfer tape 20, the region of the web grabbingside release liner 21 corresponding to the uncoated joining region 25adheres the release liner substrate 22 to the transfer tape substrate 31along an edge (the trailing edge when in use), thus creating in effect ahinge and defining the cover flap 26 that is free to open.

In one embodiment of the transfer tape 20 the release liner 21 is widerthan the tape substrate 31, such that the cover flap 26 extends beyondthe unattached edge of the tape substrate 31. When the transfer tape 20is applied to the empty web spool this overhang is the leading edge ofthe tape 20, facing into the direction of rotation of the empty webspool when it is spun up for the turn-up operation. The overhang portionof cover flap 26 catches the air caused by the high-speed rotation ofthe empty web spool. This aerodynamic affect causes the cover flap 26 topeel back and expose the web grabbing side PSA 32B so as to adhere toand sever the web.

Rather than supplying short segments of transfer tape 20, it is muchmore economical and efficient to provide the transfer tape 20 as a woundroll which is then cut into the appropriate lengths when needed. Theorientation of the transfer tape 20 as wound onto a transfer tape spool12 is critical to prevent undesirable buckling of the release liner 21relative to the PSA-coated tape substrate 31. The web grabbing side PSAlayer 32B is relatively thicker, more elastic and more compressible incomparison to the release liner 21. While the release liner 21 isflexible enough to be wound around the transfer tape spool 12, it willnot stretch or compress as much as the web grabbing side PSA layer 32B.If the transfer tape 20 is wound onto the tape spool 12 with thePSA-coated tape substrate 31 on the inside and the release liner 21 onthe outside, which is the typical orientation, when a segment oftransfer tape 20 is unrolled and flattened as it is applied to the emptyweb spool the release liner 21 buckles due to the differential in lengthand elasticity of the release liner 21 relative to the web grabbing sidePSA layer 32B. This buckling may interfere with the proper opening ofthe cover flap 26. To solve this problem, the transfer tape 20 is woundonto the transfer tape spool 12 with the PSA-coated substrate 31 on theoutside and the release liner 21 on the inside, as shown in FIG. 3. Whenunrolled and applied to the surface of the empty web spool, the releaseliner 21 is shorter than the web grabbing side PSA layer 32B and will bepulled tight, thereby eliminating the buckling problem.

To maintain the pre-wound transfer tape 20 in a clean state, the roll oftransfer tape 20 and tape spool 12 are contained within a dispensingcartridge. In a basic version, the dispenser cartridge comprises ahousing 11 or enclosure having a top panel, a bottom panel and four sidepanels, although it is not essential that the housing 11 be rectangular.The housing 11 is constructed such that it is substantially sealed inthe sense that dust and particulates are prevented from entering thehousing 11 to contaminate the transfer tape 20. The transfer tape 20 isthen dispensed through a slot 13 in the dispenser cartridge housing 11.The laminated transfer tape 20 is caused to move through the dispensingcartridge 10 by any of several methods, including manually pulling thetape 20 from the dispenser cartridge 10. The dispensing cartridge alsocomprises a semi-rigid wiper 14 to properly contour and uniformly adherethe mounting side PSA 32A to the empty web spool. The wiper 14 may be acomponent manufactured into the dispensing cartridge 10 or may be acomponent that is subsequently attached to the dispensing cartridge bythe operator. A cutter adjacent the slot (not shown) may be provided tosever the desired length of transfer tape 20. The cutter may also be adevice to perforate the transfer tape 20 for manual separation by theoperator, or the cutter may be a separate device such as a scissors. Thelength of product to be dispensed is determined by the operator.

The dispensed transfer tape 20 is applied to the empty web spool. Themounting side PSA 32A of the transfer tape 20 is oriented toward thelongitudinal surface of the empty web spool and the web-grabbing PSAside 32B or cover flap 26 of the transfer tape 20 is oriented facingoutward, away from the empty web spool. The transfer tape 20 is orientedon the web spool such that the leading edge of the cover flap 26, whichis the edge that will open, is facing into the airstream that willresult when the empty web spool is rotated up to speed to match the linespeed of the paper web. Conversely, the trailing edge of the transfertape 20, which is the edge of the tape 20 where the cover flap 26 ishinged and retained, is facing away from the airstream of the rotatingempty web spool.

In a first embodiment of the dispenser cartridge shown in FIGS. 4-6, thesemi-rigid wiper 14 is a separate member that is attached to thedispenser cartridge housing 11 by the operator. The wiper 14 and thecartridge housing 11 contain complimentary structural features tofacilitate easy attachment. The wiper 14 is a corner piece formed toalign with a corner of the cartridge housing 11. Further, the wiper 14may be provided with tabs 16 or prongs which in the embodiment as shownalign with pre-formed or pre-slit receiving slots or areas 17 of thecartridge housing 11. Alternatively, when the housing 11 is composed ofa suitable material such as corrugated cardboard or a similar material,the tabs 16 are structured to be piercing members, and aligning thewiper 14 to the cartridge housing 11 is accomplished by pressing the twotogether causes the tabs 16 to pierce the housing 11 at the receivingareas 17. The tabs 16 are forced into the receiving areas 17 and achievea suitable frictional engagement that is sufficient to retain the twocomponents together until the dispenser cartridge 10 is emptied of itstransfer tape 20, which is mounted onto a hub 18. When the cartridge 10is emptied the wiper 14 is easily removed by the operator by reversingthe relative motion applied to assemble the two and the wiper 14 is thenre-used on another cartridge 10.

Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In thisembodiment the semi-rigid wiper 14 is an inexpensive, generally planarmember that may be preinstalled with the completed dispenser cartridge10 or later inserted by the operator into a tab receiving slot or areas17. This simple blade wiper 14 and housing 11 have complementaryfeatures to engage and securely retain the wiper 14 through its use.

The dispenser cartridge 10 may contain features to retain the enclosedroll of transfer tape 20 such that the unwound portion of tape 20protruding through the exit slot 13 does not retract back through theexit slot 13 into the housing 11, making it inaccessible to theoperator. These features may consist of a centering device or hub 18 tohold the roll essentially in place inside the enclosure, but allowingthe tape 20 to unwind as needed for proper dispensing. This hub 18 couldbe constructed to allow one-way rotation of the tape roll 20, that is inthe unwinding direction, but not allow rotation of the tape roll 20 suchthat it would retract the protruding tape portion back into the housing11. Further features may include a means to hold or retain the unwoundportion of the tape 20 such as a surface to adhere a short portion ofthe exposed PSA 32A as is commonly done in well-known tape dispensers.Such features as described may be used in any combination.

In addition to being manually pulled from the dispenser cartridge 10,the cartridge may be motorized or otherwise powered to rotate thetransfer tape spool 12, or guide rolls or drive rolls may be utilized toexpel the transfer tape 20 from the cartridge 10 as needed. Thedispenser cartridge 10 may be a stand-alone assembly such that theoperator manipulates the dispenser cartridge 10 along the empty webspool by hand, or the dispenser cartridge 10 may be adapted for usewithin a secondary external housing, or for use in dispensing equipmentor apparatus, whether fixed, moving or handheld. The dispenser cartridge10 may be designed, structured and adapted to be a replaceable assemblyremoved from a secondary external unit, equipment or the like whenempty, with a full cartridge 10 then inserted in its place.

Transfer Tapes with Cord Elements

In some embodiments, the transfer tape may further include featuresformed by cord or cord like elements. A cord may be a woven, braided, ortwisted collection of fibers that may be flexible and movable much likethe transfer tape substrate. In other examples, a cord may be a singlefiber element that has properties much like a woven, braided or twistedcollection of fibers. In preferred embodiments, the cord or cord likeelements may be formed of materials that are re-pulpable or that maydissolve upon a processing to repulp waste material including thetransfer tapes. Cords may be formed of paper, paper fibers, or similarmaterial. The incorporation of cords or cord like elements may impart anumber of characteristics to the transfer tape including stiffening thetape, interconnecting the tape, and importantly it may give an attachedtransfer tape a profile thickened in the portion of the tape connectedto the cord.

Referring to FIG. 9, an exemplary transfer tape 120 with a cord element100, an embodiment of which is shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, is alaminated composite of a transfer tape base or substrate 31 and azone-coated release liner member 21. The transfer tape substrate 31 maybe composed of a paper stock member (or a member composed of similar,suitable material, most preferably re-pulpable) of sufficient strength,thickness, texture and stiffness to accomplish the turn-up transferoperation without breaking or separating throughout its subsequent use.In some examples, a thin tissue like paper may be used as a substrate.Both sides of the transfer tape substrate 31 may be coated, layered orlaminated with an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive(PSA) 32, suitable for attaching one side (the mounting side) of thelaminated transfer tape 120 to an empty paper web spool and the otherside (the web side) to a paper web of tissue or the like. The PSA 32A onthe mounting side may have different properties compared to the PSA 32Bon the web grabbing side. These different properties may includeadhesion, tackiness, color, or thickness, among others. A cord 100 maybe placed upon the PSA 32A. In some examples, the cord 100 may becentered upon the transfer tape substrate 31. In other examples, it maybe placed at a non-centered location.

In the example of the illustration of FIG. 9, the cord 100 may beadhered with the PSA 32B and the cord itself may not be coated with anyadhesive (in other embodiments the cord may be partially or entirelycoated with an adhesive). It may function to provide a spacing orsurface topography/profile of the tape upon the empty web spool. Theprofile may create a pressure when the empty web spool interacts with apaper web.

Continuing with FIGS. 9 and 10, the release liner member 21 may comprisea release liner substrate 22, preferably composed of a re-pulpablematerial, that is fully coated on its exposed side with a release layeror coating 24 composed of a material, such as silicone, that has verylow adhesion to the PSA 32. With this coating, the mounting side PSA 32Awill not adhere to the release liner substrate 22 when the transfer tape120 is wound onto the transfer tape spool 12 of the dispenser cartridge10, as the winding places the mounting side PSA 32A in contact with therelease layer or coating 24. The opposite or interior side of therelease liner substrate 22 is zone-coated with a suitably chosen releaselayer or coating 23 that prevents adhesion of the web grabbing PSA 32Bto the release liner substrate 22. This non-adhering portion of therelease liner substrate 22 defines the cover flap 26 which temporarilycovers and then opens to expose the web grabbing PSA 32B during theturn-up operation as explained. And, as previously mentioned anunderlying cord may raise portions of the web grabbing PSA 32B coatedsurface. The elements of the illustrated transfer tape 20 with attachedcord 100 may be configured in the various manners as have been describedherein.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the elements of the illustrated transfer tape120 may be properly wound into a coil, having the tape substrate on theoutside and the release liner on the inside to address buckling problemsas previously discussed. The cord, attached to the tape substrate may,accordingly, be wound into the coil interacting with the releasesurfaces of the release liner member 21 of the underlying wound transfertape.

A transfer tape 220 may have a cord or cord like feature incorporated indifferent manners. As illustrated in FIG. 12, in some examples, the cord200 or cord like feature may be embedded or incorporated into thetransfer tape substrate 31. For example, a paper cord, formed of braidedand wrapped paper strands, may be pressed into a paper pulp during theformation of the paper transfer tape substrate 31. In other examples,the substrate may be formed of alternative materials where a protrudingsurface of the cord like element may be formed directly into thetransfer tape substrate 31. As mentioned, the paper transfer tapesubstrate, in preferred examples, may be re-pulpable or it may bedissolvable when spare material waste, such as at the end of a spool, isrecycled. In examples where the transfer tape substrate 31 is formeddirectly with a cord like feature, the shape may be different from theillustrated round feature, such as with a hemispherical shape protrudingon one surface only. The cord 200 or cord-like feature may be coatedwith PSA 201.

Proceeding to FIG. 13, a transfer tape 320, may be assembled with a cord300 or cord like feature on the opposite side of the of the transfertape substrate 31. If the cord 300 is on the opposite side, it may faceup towards a paper web during turn-up. Accordingly, in some examples,the cord 300 or cord-like feature may be, itself, coated with pressuresensitive adhesive 301. It may be the same PSA as the PSA32B on the webgrabbing PSA surface in some examples. The release liner member 21 maybe dimensioned to accommodate the additional surface area due to thecord 300, and in some examples, the release liner may have a bent shapewhen assembled into the transfer tape 320.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination of a transfer tape cartridge dispenser and a paper web transfer tape with a cord; said dispenser comprising a transfer tape spool within a housing, said transfer tape being wound onto said transfer tape spool, said housing having a slot adapted such that said transfer tape passes through said slot as it is unwound; said transfer tape adapted to sever and secure a paper web from a first web spool onto an empty web spool in a web turn-up operation, said transfer tape comprising a tape substrate coated on one side with a web grabbing adhesive and on the other side with a mounting adhesive, and a release liner having a release liner substrate fully coated on a first side with a release layer and zone-coated on a second side with a release layer, said release layer being of a material that prevents adhesion of the adhesive to the release liner substrate, and a cord affixed to the tape substrate; said zone-coated release layer defining a longitudinally extending uncoated joining region on said release liner substrate, whereby said web grabbing adhesive adheres to the said uncoated joining region of said release liner substrate such that said zone-coated release layer defines a cover flap not adhered to said web grabbing adhesive; said transfer tape and the cord being wound onto said transfer tape spool with said release liner facing inward and said mounting side adhesive facing outward, such that said release layer fully coated on said first side of said release liner substrate prevents adhesion of said mounting side adhesive to said release liner substrate; said dispenser further comprising a wiper mounted on said housing adjacent said slot, said wiper adapted to apply pressure to said transfer tape when said transfer tape is applied to said empty paper web spool.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said mounting adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said uncoated joining region of said release liner substrate extends along a longitudinal edge of said release liner substrate.
 4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the cord comprises a re-pulpable material.
 5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the re-pulpable material is paper.
 6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said wiper is permanently mounted onto said housing.
 7. The combination of claim 1, wherein said wiper is removably mounted onto said housing such that said wiper is reusable with other said dispenser cartridges.
 8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the cord is affixed to the tape substrate on the mounting adhesive.
 9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the cord is incorporated into the tape substrate during the formation of the tape substrate.
 10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the cord is affixed to the tape substrate on the web grabbing adhesive, wherein the cord is coated with pressure sensitive adhesive.
 11. The combination of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises at least one rectangular corner and said wiper comprises a corner piece aligned with said at least one rectangular corner.
 12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said housing further comprises receiving slots and said wiper further comprises tabs aligned with said receiving slots.
 13. The combination of claim 12, wherein said wiper tabs are piercing members.
 14. The combination of claim 7, wherein said housing comprises at least one rectangular corner and said wiper comprises a corner piece aligned with said at least one rectangular corner.
 15. The combination of claim 14, wherein said housing further comprises receiving slots and said wiper further comprises tabs aligned with said receiving slots.
 16. The combination of claim 15, wherein said wiper tabs are piercing members.
 17. The combination of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a tab receiving slot and said wiper is a planar member inserted into said tab receiving slot.
 18. The combination of claim 7, wherein said housing comprises a tab receiving slot and said wiper is a planar member inserted into said tab receiving slot.
 19. A transfer tape for performing a paper web turn-up operation, the transfer tape comprising: a tape substrate coated on one side with a web grabbing adhesive and on the other side with a mounting adhesive; a release liner having a release liner substrate fully coated on a first side with a first release layer and zone-coated on a second side with a second release layer, said first release layer and second release layer being of a material that prevents adhesion of the adhesive to the release liner substrate; a cord affixed to the tape substrate; said zone-coated release layer defining a longitudinally extending uncoated joining region on said release liner substrate, whereby said web grabbing adhesive adheres to the said uncoated joining region of said release liner substrate such that said zone-coated release layer defines a cover flap not adhered to said web grabbing adhesive; and said cord defining an elevated surface profile of the transfer tape proximate to the cord when the transfer tape is adhered to a surface.
 20. The transfer tape of claim 19, wherein the cord comprises re-pulpable material. 